Crete's Nana Apartments: Your Dream Island Getaway Awaits!
Crete's Nana Apartments: Your Dream Island Getaway Awaits!
Nana Apartments, Crete: My Honest, Messy, and Surprisingly Wonderful Island Getaway Review! (Metadata Included!)
Okay, so Crete, right? Sun, sea, ancient history, and, you guessed it, me desperately needing a vacation. I booked Nana Apartments with a healthy dose of skepticism. "Your Dream Island Getaway Awaits!" – yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before. But, honestly? Nana Apartments mostly delivered. It wasn’t flawless, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, but the good bits? Oh, they were GOOD.
(SEO & Metadata - I'll try to sprinkle these in where they fit, but forgive the blatant keyword stuffing. Gotta get found, right?)
Keywords: Nana Apartments Crete, Crete Hotels, Accessible Hotels Crete, Wheelchair Accessible Crete, Crete Vacation, Spa Hotel Crete, Family Friendly Crete, Pool with View, Free Wi-Fi Crete.
Accessibility & Getting There (Accessibility, Airport transfer, Facilities for disabled guests, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service)
Right, so, first things first. I’m not using a wheelchair, but I did witness someone navigating the property, and the accessibility was… mixed. Facilities for disabled guests were provided, but not everywhere. The main entrance was fine, but some pathways were a bit uneven. Airport transfer was seamless. I booked it through the hotel, and the driver was waiting, holding a sign, which after a long flight, is the best feeling. The good news? Car park [free of charge]! A big plus. Car park [on-site], too! And a decent taxi service readily available. This is Crete, so getting around generally involves winding roads, remember to be prepared for that.
The Room (Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Bathroom, Toiletries, etc.)
Okay, let’s get to the heart of the matter: the room. We were in a “Superior Studio” (fancy!). The air conditioning was a godsend. Literally. Cretan sun is NO JOKE. Free Wi-Fi! Woo-hoo! And it actually worked! Free bottled water, excellent! (Dehydration is not a good travel companion). The bathroom… it was functional. Toiletries were provided, which is a nice touch. The bathroom itself was clean, but the shower… Oh, the shower! Let’s just say the water pressure was… enthusiastic. I'm not sure if there was a bathroom phone, honestly, I was too busy battling the shower. It did have a hairdryer (a huge win for my hair), and I appreciated the bathrobes provided. Wake-up service was available. And the soundproofing? Well, let’s just say it worked. Mostly. The cleaning staff seemed to have a knack for perfectly arranging the linens, so a good job there. The views from the windows were wonderful.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Covid Era (Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer, Daily disinfection, etc.)
Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the whole 'rona situation. Nana Apartments… they took it seriously. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere. Lots of it. Constantly. They advertised using Anti-viral cleaning products and were committed to Daily disinfection in common areas. Our room had been sanitized between stays, which was reassuring. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available - which is actually a decent idea. They had a doctor/nurse on call, thankfully I didn't need him. Everyone was trained in Staff trained in safety protocol, which was reassuring. Cashless payment service available. The CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property added some extra peace of mind. But lets be honest, it was all pretty new so there were still a few wobbly bits.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Restaurants, Bar, Breakfast [buffet], Room service, Poolside bar, etc.)
Food! Probably the MOST important element of any vacation, right? The Breakfast [buffet] was pretty decent. Okay, not Michelin star brilliant, but a good start to the day. The Western breakfast options were plentiful and the Asian breakfast options were….well there were a few. You could get coffee and tea from the restaurant. And speaking of the restaurant, the a la carte in restaurant menu was varied. The International cuisine in restaurant offerings were actually quite good. They had a poolside bar – essential! Happy hour! Yay! They had a snack bar, for whenever those nibbling cravings hit. If you wanted to eat in your room, there was Room service [24-hour]. They also offered Alternative meal arrangement if you asked nicely.
Ways to Relax (Swimming pool [outdoor], Spa, Massage, Sauna, Fitness center, Steamroom, etc.)
Okay, the relaxation! This is where Nana Apartments really shined. The Swimming pool [outdoor] was beautiful, infinity kind, with stunning views. Pool with view? Check! That was the money shot, right there. I spent HOURS floating, reading, generally just being. They had a proper Spa, a real dealy deal with massage! The Sauna was fantastic, and the Steamroom was a perfect place for a bit of a sweat. They also offered Body scrub and Body wrap, although I didn’t try either. The Fitness center was… there. (I’m not a gym person on vacation, sue me).
The Ups and Downs
There were a few things that weren't fully perfect. There were a few instances where the staff seemed a little overwhelmed. The service at the bar could be slow if they were busy. It wasn't perfect. But the good far outweighed the bad.
The Anecdote
One afternoon by the pool, I was convinced I saw a dolphin in the distance. I swear I saw a fin! I ran to the edge of the pool to get a better look, and slipped. I didn't fall, but it was embarrassing. But the pool was so beautiful it made it alright.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back? (Mostly!)
Would I recommend Nana Apartments? Yeah, probably. The value for money was good. The pools? To die for. The staff, while occasionally a bit frazzled were generally friendly. The location was perfect for exploring. They seemed to take safety seriously in a post-pandemic world. It had its foibles, yes. But that’s part of the charm, isn't it? It wasn't a sterile, perfect vacation. But it was real, it was beautiful, and it gave me exactly what I needed: a break. And sometimes, that’s all that matters.
Unbelievable Sarah Cottage: Your Nuwara Eliya Dream Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just going to Nana Apartments in Crete, we're living there. And let me tell you, after weeks of staring at spreadsheets and budgeting, this is less a polished itinerary and more…well, a slightly-stained love letter scribbled in a travel journal fueled by cheap ouzo and crippling anticipation.
Subject: Operation: Nana Apartment Nirvana (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Beach)
Phase 1: Arrival and Immediate Chaos (Expect Delays, Embrace Them)
Day 1: Sunday - The Great Crete Caper
- 7:00 AM (ish) - Wake up, convinced I've forgotten something crucial. Passport? Check. Sunscreen? Double-check (I get lobster-red just thinking about UV rays). My stomach is already doing that pre-vacation flip-flop.
- 9:00 AM - Taxi to the airport. Try to look cool, calm, and collected whilst simultaneously clinging to my suitcase like a shipwrecked sailor. Actually, pretend like I’m not even in a hurry…but secretly, I’m thinking about the turquoise water, the sun…OH MY GOD, I’M GOING TO CRETE!
- 10:00 AM - Airport shenanigans. Flights always involve something. Delayed flight, maybe the luggage somehow ends up in Greenland. I'll pretend I'm a seasoned traveler while I’m actually secretly panicking.
- 1:00 PM - Finally, on the plane! Try to sleep, but I’m too wired and constantly checking the window.
- 5:00 PM - Arrive at Heraklion Airport (HER). Breathe! Look for the pre-booked transfer (fingers crossed they actually show up). If not, prepare for a crash course in Greek taxi negotiation. Wish me luck.
- 6:30 PM - Arrive at Nana Apartments. Check-in. Pray they remember the booking and don’t think I’m some sort of crazed travel loon.
- 7:00 PM - First impressions of the apartment. Is it as beautiful as the pictures? Are the appliances ancient? Are there even any appliances? Immediately discover some minor housekeeping issues. Don't freak out, breathe, it's part of the experience.
- 8:00 PM - Unpack. Attempt to organize luggage, most likely failing miserably.
- 9:00 PM - Find a local taverna. Order all the things. Get completely overwhelmed by the menu. End up pointing randomly and hoping for the best. The first bite of actual Cretan food… pure, unadulterated heaven. (Or, if I’m unlucky, a mystery meat situation. Either way, it'll be an experience!)
Phase 2: Beach Bum Bliss (And Maybe Some Culture, Eventually)
Day 2: Monday - Beach Day One (And My Love Affair with the Sand)
- 9:00 AM - Wake up to the sound of… well, hopefully I’ll wake up to the sound of something other than my own snoring. Sun? Birds? Crashing waves? (Fingers crossed.)
- 10:00 AM - Sunscreen application ritual. This is serious business. Avoid the lobster look at all costs.
- 11:00 AM - Beach time! Find the nearest beach (probably a short walk from the apartments). Locate a sun lounger. Spend the next few hours alternating between swimming, reading (a book I’ll probably abandon halfway through), and staring at the ocean. The water! The color! It's insane.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at a beachside taverna. Something light. Salad? Fish? Probably not. Order something entirely new.
- Afternoon - More beach. Maybe rent a paddleboard. Or just lie there and absorb the sun and the atmosphere. Stare into the horizon and forget everything.
- Evening - Sunset cocktails at a beach bar. Watch the sunset melt away, feeling like all the worries and troubles of the world just…dissolved.
Day 3: Tuesday - Knossos Ruins and Cultural Pretensions (Let's See If I Can Pull It Off)
- 9:00 AM - Drag myself away from the beach. Must. See. Knossos.
- 10:00 AM - Hop on a bus to Knossos. Prepare for crowds, heat, and the potential for interpretive dance displays.
- 11:00 AM - Explore the ruins. Pretend I know more about Minoan civilization than I actually do. Take photos. Try not to get sunburnt.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch near Knossos. Try something other than gyros (though, let’s be honest, that’s a hard sell).
- Afternoon - Return to the apartment. Maybe visit the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. (Possibly. Or maybe I’ll just head back to the beach. Depends on my level of historical tolerance.)
- Evening - Dinner at a restaurant in the town. Try not to order the same thing I had yesterday.
Day 4: Wednesday - The Great Rethymno Ramble (And a Failed Attempt at Hiking)
- Morning - Early start to Rethymno! A coastal city. Explore the Venetian harbor.
- Afternoon - Get lost in the Old Town. Buy a souvenir. Wander around aimlessly.
- Evening - Dinner in Rethymno, hopefully I can find a restaurant that sells great seafoods.
Day 5: Thursday - Relaxation Day (Because Let's Be Real, I Need It)
- All Day - Beach, beach, beach! Or, if the beach fatigue sets in, find a pool. Swim laps. Read. Nap. Essentially, a day of doing absolutely nothing except enjoying the Cretan sun. Maybe treat myself a massage.
Day 6: Friday - Day Trip to Spinalonga (Or, I Get Seasick and Regret My Life Choices)
- Morning - Ferry to Spinalonga Island. Beautiful scenery, rich history.
- Afternoon - Explore Spinalonga, learn about it's history.
- Evening - Seafood dinner. Hopefully, my stomach can handle it after the boat trip.
Day 7: Saturday - Departure Day (Sob!)
- Morning - Pack. (Try to remember everything.) Do a final walk on the beach feeling melancholic, and try to absorb every last bit of the sun.
- Afternoon - Check out of the apartment. Say goodbye to the views.
- Evening - Taxi to Heraklion airport. Flight home. Wave goodbye to paradise. Reflect on all the good memories.
Ramblings, Rants, and General Observations:
- Food: I have a sneaking suspicion I'll live on gyros and Greek salad. And I'm okay with that. Maybe I can even learn a few basic Greek phrases. "More wine, please?" is definitely on the list.
- People: I'm hoping to meet some friendly locals. Maybe they'll have some good stories to tell. Or maybe I’ll just spend the whole time awkwardly fumbling with my limited language skills. Either way, it’ll be an experience.
- The Beach: The most important thing on this itinerary. Do not overthink it.
- Imperfectness: I may get lost. I may get sunburnt. I may fall madly in love with a particular type of Greek olive oil. But that's the point, right? To embrace the chaos, the unexpected, the absolute delight of being somewhere completely new.
So, wish me luck. And if you see a slightly frazzled individual wandering around Crete, clutching a map and covered in sunscreen, come say hello. I’ll probably need a friend, or at least someone to share a plate of gyros with.
To Crete!
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Crete's Nana Apartments: Your Dream Island Getaway - Seriously, Though? FAQs That Will Make You Laugh (and Maybe Book)
Okay, spill. What's the deal with Nana Apartments in Crete? Are they… actually good? Or just Instagram bait?
Alright, truth bomb time. I'm not going to lie and say it's all sunshine and rainbows. Nana Apartments? They are a *mixed* bag. Think of it like your favourite uncle: sometimes amazing, sometimes a bit… much. The good? The views. OH, the views. Picture this: Waking up, bleary-eyed, stumbling onto your balcony with a coffee (if you’ve managed to conquer the coffee machine, which can be a small battle), and BAM! Turquoise water, golden sand, the whole shebang. Pure postcard-perfect. Worth the trip alone? Honestly, maybe. The catch? See below… (because let's be real, there's *always* a catch).
What are the rooms like? Are we talking luxury or "rustic charm"? (And does "rustic charm" mean "falling apart"?)
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room (or, more accurately, the slightly wonky door in your potentially chosen room). "Rustic charm" is definitely the vibe. Think… clean-ish. The rooms are generally functional, but don’t expect marble floors and a walk-in closet. My first time there, the shower curtain was actively trying to escape its moorings. I spent a good five minutes wrestling it back after a particularly enthusiastic shampooing session, muttering about the futility of life and the importance of a good waterproof curtain rod. Eventually, victory. The furniture leans towards "vintage finds" (aka, things that have seen better days). But honestly? It adds to the character. And the beds? They're comfy enough after a day of exploring. Just maybe inspect the mattress before you crash. Some might have seen their fair share of…history. I’m just saying.
Is the pool as amazing as it looks in the photos? (Because those photos are *gorgeous*.)
The pool... ah, the pool. Yes. The pool is pretty darn amazing. Honestly, the pictures don’t lie *too* much. The water is clear, the sun is hitting it just right, and there's that overall vibe of "escape reality." It's the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon, sipping a Mythos (the local beer – highly recommended!), pretending you have absolutely no responsibilities. One time, I spent a solid three hours just bobbing around, watching the clouds drift by. Utter bliss. The only thing to watch out for? The sun loungers. They're a hotly contested commodity. Get there early, grab your spot, and stake your claim! Or, you know, embrace the chaos and just wing it. I've done both. More than once.
What's the food situation like? Is there a restaurant? Should I pack snacks? (Please say yes to snacks.)
Okay, the food situation. There's a small restaurant, and honestly, it's…decent. Don't expect Michelin-star dining, but the portions are generous, and the Greek salad is on point. Perfect for a casual lunch or a late-night bite. And yes, pack snacks. Always pack snacks. I’m talking emergency chocolate, biscotti because no one is above biscotti, and maybe some little bags of nuts for when you're hangry at 3 pm after a long day of doing… nothing (which, let's be honest, is often the best kind of day). Also, definitely head into the nearby town for some proper Cretan food. Find a family-run taverna. Order the moussaka. You won't regret it. Seriously. Moussaka is life.
What's the vibe like? Is it family-friendly? Party-central? Or something in between?
Vibe check! Nana Apartments is generally pretty chill. Family-friendly, yes, but also suitable for couples and solo travellers. It’s not a wild party scene, thank god. You'll get a mix of ages and nationalities. You might hear kids splashing in the pool, but mostly, it’s a place to relax and unwind. One year, I ended up chatting with this lovely couple from Germany at the pool, and we spent a couple of evenings exploring the local villages together! It's that kind of place. But if you *are* looking for a wild time, probably not the best place. Although… I've seen some pretty enthusiastic karaoke sessions in the bar. Just saying...
How far are the apartments from the beach? I need to know if my laziness is a viable option (it usually is).
Okay, listen up, fellow beach bums! Nana Apartments are… close. Very close. You could practically roll out of bed, stumble down a slight incline, and be on the sand. Which, let's be honest, is pretty much the ideal situation. The walk is quick, easy, and totally doable even after a few too many glasses of raki (the local firewater, proceed with caution!). Which means, yes, your laziness is a viable option. Embrace it! Pack a beach bag, grab your book, and get ready for some serious relaxation. Just don’t forget the sunscreen. Learned that lesson the hard way. My legs resembled lobsters for a solid week.
Any hidden gems or tips for making the most of my stay?
Alright, listen up! Here’s the insider scoop. Rent a car. Seriously. Crete is a treasure trove of hidden coves, charming villages, and ancient ruins, and you *need* to explore. Don't just stick to the resort. Drive to Elafonisi beach (pink sand, need I say more?), visit the Samaria Gorge (wear good shoes!), and wander through the Venetian harbor of Chania. Try the local honey – it's nectar of the gods. And learn a few basic Greek phrases. "Efharisto" (thank you) will get you a long way. Also, pack a universal adapter. I forgot one once and spent the first day frantically trying to find a converter while my phone battery slowly, agonizingly, died. Don't be me. And finally… Embrace the chaos. Things don't always run perfectly smoothly in Greece, but that's part of the charm. Go with the flow, smile, and enjoy the ride. You won’t regret it. (Well, you might regret the raki, but it’s worth it.)
Okay, so… what about the internet? Because I *need* my Instagram fix. (Priorities, people!)
The WiFi situation… Ah, the WiFi. Expectations management is key. It's… thereMission, BC Getaway: Unbelievable Deals at BEST WESTERN PLUS Mission City Lodge!
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